Mike LeDonne: The Heavy Hitters

Homing in on the electric, ancestral vibe of Rudy Van Gelder's house of musical myth and magic in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, the Heavy Hitters, spearheaded by journeyman pianist Mike LeDonne and well-traveled saxophonist, Eric Alexander, approach this eponymous debut with a ballsy, brassy, big sounding blueprint which carries through the entire recording.

In deciding who best to share Van Gelder's hallowed space with, LeDonne and Alexander brought in the big guns—namely trumpeter Jeremy Pelt, alto saxophonist Vincent Herring, and the elasticity of bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington—not to blur any margins, mash any mixtapes, smash genres or break new ground. Nope, these guys are here for one reason only—to bring the jams and the grooves, and bring them with as much punch as possible.

Mission accomplished.

LeDonne's rousing tribute to Freddie Hubbard, "Hub," launches The Heavy Hitters just as one would expect a session of this kind to do; everyone is on their A game from the start, baring all their cards and not holding back. That take-no-prisoners attitude carries into hot boilers such as Alexander's funkified, rafter-shaking "Chainsaw," where tandem rhythm brothers take hold of the track, the front line flies free, and guest guitarist Rale Micic sails above it all. "Cedar Land" the pianist's crisply loyal nod to Cedar Walton (who else?) crackles with a 21st century post- bop (and a highlight Pelt solo) that is hard to beat.

Based on a chord progression dictated to him by fellow saxophonist George Coleman, Alexander's big harmonics are perfect for the kick meter, sizzle swing of "This Is Something New." Herring and the front line sparkle on LeDonne's crowd pleasing "Silverdust." Led by Herring's own ruminative turn on alto saxophone, the plush reminiscence of "Big Richard" serves as a beatific tribute to his late father. The Heavy Hitters are.